Rocking horse



W. J. STENZEL ROCKING HORSE' Jan. 6, 1948.

Filed June 18, 1946 a/fer @'S/nze/,

I INVENTOR. [im

Patented Jan. 6, 1.948

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROCKING HORSE Walter J. Stenzel, Mount Clemens, Mich.

Application June 18, 1946, Serial No. 677,444

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a rocking horse, and more particularly to such a device adapted for the amusement of children.

A primary object of this invention is the pro- Vision of an improved rocking horse characterized by means whereby the device may be rocked by movement of the arms and shoulders of the rider thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which may be rocked without the necessity of the childs feet touching the floor, whereby the horse will remain substantially in the same place, and thus avoid striking walls and furniture and possibly damaging the same.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which serves as an exercising device developing the back, shoulder and arm muscles of the infant.

Other objects will in p-art be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side View, partially in elevation and partially in section disclosing one form of rocking horse embodying features of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The device of the instant invention is comprised of two side plates I0, in desired animal form, in the illustrative embodiment in simulation of a horse, each provided with leg portions I I secured to curved rockers I2. The side plates are secured in assembled relation by transverse bar members I3 extending between aligned legs, and additional bar portion I4 extending transversely between the two head portions. A seat I5 is provided between the side plates, as is a back rest I6.

Two bell crank members I8 are pivotally mounted, as on pivot screws I9, on the inner sides of each side plate, in aligned relation.

The vertically Vextending arms of the bell crank members I8 are connected by a transversely eX- tending bar 29, connecting the two bell crank members for simultaneous pivotal movement about the pivots IB. Each bell crank member I8 is provided at an intermediate point of the vertical leg with a lug 2l, to which is secured one end of a coil spring 22, the opposite end of which is secured to an eye 23 secured to the nose piece of the side plate II).

The horizontal leg of each of the bell crank members I8 has pivotally secured thereto, as by a pivot pin 24, a vertical rod 25 which extends downwardly through a bracket 26 on the adjacent rocker I2 to a point below the rocker and in contact with the floor, or other supporting surface, 21.

Now, from the foregoing, the operation of the device should be readily understandable.

A child is positioned between the side plates I0 on the seat I5, which may, obviously, if desired, be provided with a suitable safety strap, or the like, (not shown), and reaches forward grasping the transverse bar 2U. Obviously, pulling the bar 20 towards the child will pivot the bell crank member I8 in such manner as to force the lever 25 downwardly against the floor, thus rocking the horse. When the device is past over-center position, the coil springs 22 serve to draw the bell crank members back to normal position, permitting the device to rock forwardly, and repetition of the action results in a steady and continuous rocking of the device. Obviously, the device is effective in developing the back, shoulder and arm muscles of a child, and obviously, since the necessity of the childs feet touching the floor is eliminated, the device will remain substantially in the spot in which it is originally positioned.

From the foregoing, it will now be seen that there is herein provided a device which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a rocking horse, a pair of rockers, side plates mounted on said rockers, a seat positioned between said side plates, bell crank members mounted on each side plate, a transverse bar secured t the extremity of one arm of each bell crank lever extending transversely between said bell crank members and connecting the same, rods pivotally secured to the extremity of the other arm of each bell crank member and extending below said rockers, and guide brackets for said rods secured to each rocker.

2. In a rocking horse, a pair of rockers, side plates mounted on said rockers, a seat positioned 4 tending below said rockers, spring means secured at one end to said one arm of eachbell crank member and at their other ends to said side plates, and guide brackets for said rods secured 5 to each rocker.

WALTER J. STENZEL. 

